Individual seed hoppers forming banks of seed hoppers

ABSTRACT

A seeding machine is provided with banks of individual seed hoppers for directing seed to auxiliary seed hoppers located on individual planting units. The individual seed hoppers of each bank are provided with adjoining walls. The adjoining walls have notches so that seed in one individual seed hopper can flow into an adjoining individual seed hopper. A portion of the planting units can be disabled by placing them in a non-working position. The individual seed hoppers supplying seed to the disabled planting units are provided with removable baffles. Each removable baffle is provided with a downwardly extending leg that cooperates with the notches to prevent seed in an active individual hopper from entering an inactive individual hopper.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a bank of individual seedhoppers having notches between adjoining walls to permit the flow ofseed between the individual hoppers and removable baffles to prevent theflow between the individual hoppers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Agricultural implements, like seeding machines, have a widetransverse working configuration so that the machine covers as muchground as possible in a single pass. Typically, the seeding machine canbe folded from its working configuration into a more manageabletransport configuration.

[0003] Some seeding machines are provided with a frame having a centralmain frame segment and two wing frame segments. The central main framesegment is provided with a forwardly extending tow bar for coupling themachine to a tractor. The wing frame segments are pivotally coupled tothe main frame by fore/aft extending axes so that the wings can flexrelative to the main frame to allow the wing frames to more closelyfollow the contour of the ground. Individual planting units are mountedto the frame segments by parallelogram linkages so that the plantingunits can move a limited amount up and down relative to the respectiveframe segment. One method of folding the frame of the seeding machinedescribed above is to forwardly fold the wings along the tow bar.

[0004] Typically grain drills and air seeders are used to plant closelyspaced crops. These seeding machines are provided with bulk hoppers,which transmits the seed directly to seed meters for metering the flowof seed to the planting furrow. Typical row crop planters have been usedto plant crops having wider row spacings. Row crop planters have aseries of planting units. Each planting unit is provided with anindividual seed hopper, a seed meter and a furrow opener. It is alsoknown to direct seed from a bulk hopper towed behind the seeding machineto the individual hoppers of the planting units by a pneumatic supplysystem.

[0005] To plant on more closely spaced rows it is known to interleavethe planting units. All of the planting units can be used to plant anarrow row crop or selective planting units can be raised to planter awider row crop.

[0006] It is also known to pivot planting units on their noses from ahorizontal planting position to a more vertical non-planting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A seeding machine comprises a main frame segment and two wingframe segments. In its working configuration the seeding machine extendstransversely. In its transport configuration the wing frame segments arefolded forwardly. All three frame segments are provided with interleavedplanting units forming a front rank of planting units and a rear rank ofplanting units. The rear ranks of planting units are mounted to the wingframe segments by pivot arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly fromthe wing frame segments. The pivot arms are pivotally mounted to thewing frame segments by a rockshaft. The rockshaft is provided with anactuator bell crank that is coupled to a linear actuator for rotatingthe rockshaft relative to the wing frame segments. The pivot arms have aworking position, wherein the planting units are in their workingposition, and a transport position, wherein the planting units have beenpivoted on their noses into their substantially vertical transportposition. By rotated the planting units on the wing frame segments ontheir noses, the transport width of the seeding machine is reduced, whenthe wing frame segments are forwardly folded.

[0008] The frame segments are provided with banks of individual seedhoppers. Each of the planting units is provided with an auxiliary seedhopper. The individual seed hoppers feed seed to the auxiliary seedhoppers through flexible tubes. One tube extends between one auxiliaryseed hopper and one individual seed hopper. The individual seed hoppersof each bank are provided with adjoining walls. The adjoining walls havenotches so that the individual hoppers communicate with one another. Inthis way, the bank of seed hoppers can be filled in a bulk fill methodsimilar to grain drills.

[0009] The rear rank of planting units can be disabled by placing themin a non-working position. As such, the seeding machine can plant seedin two different row width conditions. When the rear rank of plantingunits are disabled, the banks of seed hoppers are provided withremovable baffles. Each removable baffle is provided with a leg thatcooperates with the notches to prevent seed in an active individualhopper from entering an inactive individual hopper. When the removablebaffles are inserted into the bank of individual seed hoppers, theindividual seed hoppers are filled in the same manner as row cropplanters, that is one at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side view of a seeding machine of the presentinvention in its working configuration.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a seeding machine of thepresent invention in its working configuration with the planting unitsraised.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a seeding machine of thepresent invention in its transport configuration.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a left side view of a wing frame segment of the seedingmachine illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a left side view of a wing frame segment of the seedingmachine illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a right side view of a wing frame segment of the seedingmachine of the present invention wherein the rear ranks of plantingunits are in their intermediate holding position.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bank of seed hoppers of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the bank of seed hopper in FIG. 8with the detachable lid.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional perspective view of the bank of seedhopper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of a towed agricultural implement in theform of a seeding machine 10. The seeding machine 10 is coupled to atractor by a tow bar 12 having a hitch 14. The tow bar 12 extendsforwardly from a frame 16. The frame comprises three frame segments, amain frame 18, and left and right wing frames 19 and 20. The wing frames19 and 20 can be pivoted relative to the main frame 18 about left andright fore/aft extending pivots 21. These fore/aft extending pivots 21permit the wing frames 19 and 20 to better follow the contour of theground as the seeding machine 10 is being pulled through the field. Thewing frames 19 and 20 can also be folded in a forward manner aboutvertically extending pivots, so that the seeding machine 10 assumes thetransport configuration illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0021] Each of the frame segments 18, 19 and 20 are provided with banksof seed hoppers 22. The banks of seed hoppers 22 direct seed toindividual planting units 24 by means of flexible tubes 26. In theillustrated embodiment, each planting unit 24 comprises an auxiliaryhopper 28, a seed meter 30, a furrow opener 32, depth gauging wheels 34and furrow closing wheels 36. Seed is directed into the auxiliary hopper28 by flexible tube 26. Seed is then metered by the seed meter 30. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the seed meter 30 is a vacuum seed metercoupled to a vacuum line 31. The metered seed is then directed to a seedtube, not shown, which directs the seed into the planting furrow formedby the furrow opener 32. The planting furrow is then closed by thefurrow closing wheels 36, sealing the seed in the closed plantingfurrow.

[0022] The planting units 24 are arranged in a front rank 38 and a rearrank 40 on each frame segment 18, 19 and 20. The front ranks 38 ofplanting units 24 are mounted directly to the frame segments 18, 19 and20, so the front ranks 38 move with the respective frame segment.Similarly, the rear rank 40 of main frame planting units is mounted tothe main frame segment 18, so they move with the main frame segment 18.The rear ranks 40 of planting units 24 mounted on the wing framesegments 19 and 20 are mounted to pivot arms 42 that extend downwardlyand rearwardly from a rock shaft 44. The rockshaft 44 is rotatablycoupled to the wing frame segment 20 by bearings 46. An actuator bellcrank 48 that is driven by linear motor 50 rotates the rockshaft 44. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the linear motor 50 is a double actinghydraulic cylinder. The front rank 38 and the rear rank 40 of plantingunits 24 are interleaved with one another.

[0023] The pivot arms 42 can be rotated from their working position,illustrated in FIG. 1, to their transport position, illustrated in FIGS.3 and 5, by the linear motors 50 driving the respective actuator bellcranks 48 of the rock shaft 44. In this way when the wing frame sections19 and 20 are rotated forwardly, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, therear ranks 40 of planting units 24 are rotated into their substantiallyvertical transport position, providing the seeding machine 10 with amore narrow transport width. The rockshaft 44 is provided with drivenbell cranks 45 having lift links 47.

[0024] The frame segments 18, 19 and 20 are provided with ground supportwheels 52. The ground support wheels 52 contact the ground when theseeding machine 10 is in its working configuration. Downpressure to eachplanting unit 24 is applied by a pneumatic downpressure cylinder 54. Thepneumatic downpressure cylinder 54 extends between the main and wingframe segments 18, 19 and 20 and the front rank 38 of planting units 24and main frame segment 18 and the rear rank 40 of planting units 24. Forthe rear rank 40 of planting units 24 on the wing frame segments 19 and20, the pneumatic downpressure cylinder 54 extends between the pivot arm42 and the planting units 24. The pneumatic downpressure cylinders 54engage a parallelogram linkage 56 joining the planting units to therespective frame segments 18 and 20 and pivot arms 42. The parallelogramlinkage 56 allows the planting units 24 to follow the ground relative tothe frame segments 18, 19 and 20 and pivot arms 42.

[0025] As the seeding machine is moved from its working configuration toits transport configuration, the main frame segment 18 ground supportwheels 52 are extended by hydraulic cylinders 58 raising the frame 16.The wing frame segments 19 and 20 are pivoted forwardly until theyengage the tow bar 12 with catches 53. The linear motors 50 are extendedpivoting the rockshafts 44 by means of the actuator bell cranks 48. Inthis way, the pivot arms 42 and attached planting units 24 are rotatedfrom their working position to their transport position.

[0026] The seed hoppers 22 are provided with access lids 58 foraccessing the interior of the seed hoppers 22. To fill the seed hoppers22 the operator mounts steps 59 onto operator walkway 60 and opens theaccess lids 58. The walkway 60 is located above the row units 24 whenthey are in their working position. The walkway 60 comprises a footboard61 and a walkway frame 62. The walkway frame 62 is provided withrailings 64 and warning lights 66. The footboard 61 on each of the wingframe segments 20 is pivotally coupled to a walkway frame 62 byfootboard pin 65. The walkway frame 62 is pivotally coupled to the wingframe segments 19 and 20 by a walkway frame pin 66. The walkway framepin 66 defines a second pivot axis that is parallel to the first pivotaxis defined by the rockshaft 44. Similarly, the footboard pin 65defines a third pivot axis that is parallel to the first and secondpivot axes.

[0027] As linear motor 50 is extended, it rotates the rockshaft 44 byrotating driven bell crank 45 and moving lift link 47. The lift link 47is coupled to the walkway frame 62 by lift link pin 68. The lift link 47is provided with a lost motion slot 49. The lost motion slot 49 permitsthe pivot arms 42 to be raised a limited amount before the walkway frame62 is pivoted relative to the wing frame segments 19 and 20. As the liftlink 47 engages the walkway frame 62, the walkway frame 62 and thefootboard 61 are pivoted about the walkway frame axis (second pivotaxis) defined by walkway frame pin 66. Further rotation of the rockshaft44 causes the rear ranks 40 of planting units 24 for the wing framesegments 19 and 20 to butt up against the footboard 61. Bumpers 70mounted to the planting units 24 engage the underside of the footboard61. The bumpers 70 automatically pivot the footboard 61 about thefootboard pivot axis (third pivot axis) defined by footboard pin 65relative to the walkway frame 62. In its final transport position thefootboards 61 are sandwiched between the seed hoppers 22 and the rearranks 40 of planting units 24 for the wing frame segments 19 and 20.

[0028] Transversely extending tube supports 72 are pivotally attached tothe wing frame segments 19 and 20 by links 74. The tube supports 72 arelocated below the operator walkways 60 and support the flexible tubes 26for the rear ranks 40 of planting units 24. The tube supports 72 rest onthe rockshaft 44 when the seeding machine is in its workingconfiguration. As the pivot arms 42 are pivoted to their transportposition, the pivot arms 42 contact the tube support 72 raising the tubesupports 72 with the pivot arms 42. The tube supports 72 lift theflexible tubes 26 preventing them from kinking when the planting units24 are raised into their transport positions.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the seeding machine 10 has a second workingconfiguration wherein the front ranks 38 of planting units 24 are usedfor planting and the second rank of planting units are pivoted upwardlyby the pivot arms 42 into an intermediate holding position. In theintermediate holding position the rear ranks 40 of planting units 24 areno longer in contact with the ground and only the front rank 38 ofplanting units are planting seed. In this way, the front ranks 38 ofplanting units 24 can be used to plant at a wider row spacing then whenthe rear ranks 40 of planting units 24 are employed. For example, whenthe rear ranks 40 are in their intermediate holding position, the frontranks 38 of the planting units 24 can be used to plant corn inthirty-inch rows. When the rear ranks 40 of planting units 24 arelowered the seeding machine 10 can be used to plant soybeans infifteen-inch rows. To maintain the rear ranks 40 of planter units 24 inthe intermediate holding position, a U-shaped stop 76 is provided whichfits over the linear actuator 50 and blocks the retraction of thehydraulic cylinder.

[0030] A bank of seed hoppers 22 is best illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Thebank of seed hoppers 22 comprises a series of individual plastic hoppers80 having adjoining walls 82. The adjoining walls 82 are provided withnotches 84 so that seed can flow from one individual hopper 80 toanother when both the front and rear ranks 38 and 40 of planting units24 are in their working configuration. The notches 84 are outlined by aseal 86 that overlies the adjoining walls 82 of the individual hoppers80. When the rear ranks are raised into their intermediate holdingposition only half the planting units 24 are being used, so thatalternating individual hoppers 80 feed non-working planting units 24. Assuch, the bank of seed hoppers 22 is provided with removable baffles 88having downwardly extending legs 90 that engage the adjoining walls 82of the individual hoppers 80. The downwardly extending legs 90 cooperatewith the notches 84 to seal a working individual hopper 80 from theadjoining non-working individual hopper 80. The legs are provided with ahorizontal cover 94 that prevent seed from being deposited into thenon-working hopper. Please note there are two types of baffles 88, therightmost baffle 88 in FIGS. 8-10 seals an end hopper 80 and the othertwo illustrated baffles 88 seal non-working hoppers 80 located betweenworking hoppers 80. The baffle for the end hopper is provided with onedownwardly extending leg 90, whereas the other two baffles 88 areprovided with two downwardly extending legs. The covers 94 of thebaffles 88 are provided with upwardly extending lips 96. The upwardlyextending lips 96 engage the recessed underside of access lid 58 tobetter fix the position of the baffles 88 relative to the individualhoppers 80. The access lid 58 is pivotally secured to the frame segments18, 19 and 20 by hinge arms 98.

[0031] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will becomeapparent that various modifications can be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For example, a mechanical seed meter or apositive pressure pneumatic seed meter may be used in place of thevacuum seed meter disclosed in the specification above. Similarly, theseed can be directed to the individual unit hoppers by a pneumatic seedon demand system from a central hopper, instead of a using the gravitydelivery system disclosed in the specification above. Therefore thepresent invention should be limited solely by the claims that follow.

1. A seeding machine comprising: a frame; a bank of individual seedhoppers are mounted to the frame, the bank of individual seed hoppershaving adjoining walls, the adjoining walls having notches allowing seedto pass between individual seed hoppers; an access lid is mounted to thebank of individual seed hoppers and provides access to the individualseed hoppers; planting units are mounted to the frame; flexible tubesextend between the individual hoppers and the planting units fortransmitting seed from the individual hoppers to the planting units. 2.A seeding machine as defined by claim 1 wherein each planting unit isprovided with an auxiliary hopper for receiving seed from one of theindividual hoppers through the flexible tube.
 3. A seeding machine asdefined by claim 2 wherein a portion of the planting units can be placedin a non-working position and removable baffles can be inserted into thebank of individual hoppers for isolating the individual hoppersassociated with the portion of planting units placed in the non-workingposition.
 4. A seeding machine as defined by claim 3 wherein alternatingplanting units are placed in the non-working position and the removablebaffles having downwardly extending legs are inserted into the bank ofindividual hoppers to engage the notches sealing the notches of theindividual hoppers.
 5. A seeding machine as defined by claim 4 whereineach removable baffle is provided with a horizontal cover that extendsfrom at least one downwardly extending leg.
 6. A seeding machine asdefined by claim 5 wherein the horizontal cover is provided withupwardly extending lips that engage the access lid.
 7. A seeding machineas defined by claim 6 wherein the access lid has a recessed underside inwhich the upwardly extending lips are received.
 8. A seeding machine asdefined by claim 7 wherein the access lid is pivotally attached to theframe.
 9. A removable baffle for a bank of individual seed hoppershaving adjoining walls with notches, the removable baffle comprising: atleast one downwardly extending leg for sealing the notches in adjoiningwalls; a horizontal cover extending from the downwardly extending leg;upwardly extending lips extending from the horizontal cover.
 10. Aremovable baffle as defined by claim 9 wherein the removable baffle isprovided with two downwardly extending legs and the horizontal cover islocated between the legs.
 11. A removable baffle as defined by claim 10wherein the horizontal cover is provided with two upwardly extendinglips located between the downwardly extending legs.
 12. A bank ofindividual seed hoppers for a seeding machine comprising a plurality ofindividual seed hoppers having adjoining walls with notches allowingseed to pass between individual hoppers, the bank of individual hoppershave an open top that is covered by a lid for loading seed through theopen top to all of the individual hoppers, each individual hopper isprovided with an outlet for directing seed to a planting unit.